Box-nailing machine



(No Model.) 11 SheetsSheet 1 S. H. EDWARDS.

BOX NAILING MAGHINE.

No. 482,866. Patented Sept. 20, 1892.

fl'nesses:

11 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

S. EDWARDS. .BOX NAILING MACHINE.

No. 482,866. Patented Sept. 20, 1892.

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(No Model.)

S. H. EDWARDS. BOX NAILING MACHINE.

No. 482,866. Patented Sept. 20, 1892.

W'flnesses "W (No Model.) 11 Sheets-$heet 4.

s. H. EDWARDS. BOX NAILING MACHINE.

No. 482,866. Patented Sept. 20, 1892.

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(No Model.) 11 SheetsSheet 5.

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BOX NAILING MACHINE. N0. 482,866. Patented Sept. 20, 1892.

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(No Model.) 11 Sheets-Sheet 6. s. H. EDWARDS. BOX NAILING MACHINE.

No. 482,866. Patented Sept. 20, 1892.

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11 SheetsSheet 7 S. H. EDWARDS.

BOX NAILING MACHINE.

(No Model.)

No; 482,866. Patented Sept. 20, 1892.

(No Model.) 11 sheets sheet 8,

s. H. EDWARDS. BOX NAILING MACHINE.

No. 482,866. 'Patelited Sept. 20, 1892.

Wifnesses:

(No Model.) 11 Sheets-Shefl9.

S. H. EDWARDS. Box NAILING MACHINE. No. 482,866.

w: "cams PETER! 00.. mom-mum, WASHINGTON, n. c.

(No Model.) 11 SheetsSheet 10.

S. H. EDWARDS. BOX NAILING MACHINE.

.No. 482,866. Patented Sept. 20, 1892.

ani'or Ska/M2;

3 av S 5 n we mums mavens cm, moro-uma, msnmurou, n. c.

(No Model.) 11 Sheets-Sheet 11.

S. H. EDWARDS.

BOX NAILING MACHINE.

N0.- 48Z,866.- Patented Sept. 20, 1892.

FIG: 25.

vfimeasea UNITED .STATEs PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL H. EDWVARDS, OF BAYONNE, NElV JERSEY.

BOX-NAILING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 482,866, datedSeptember 20, 1892.

Application filed April 27, 1891. Serial No. 390,595. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL H. EDWARDS, of the city of Bayonne, county ofHudson, in the State of New Jersey, have invented an Improvement inBox-Nailing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to box-nailing machines; and it consistsofcertainimprovements which are fully set out in the followingspecification and are shown in the accompanying drawings, which form apart thereof.

The object of m y. in vention is to accomplish the nailing of boxes, bymeans of machinery with rapidity and precision.

My invention is more particularlydesigned for nailing the lids uponboxes which have already been packed with merchandise for purposes ofshipment, so that in large places of business, where the product ispacked in boxes for shipment, the nailing of the lids upon the boxes maybe accomplished with saving of time and labor.

In carrying out my invention I employ, in an organized machine, carriersor feeding devices to carry the boxes in succession to and from themachine, arranged to temporarily arrest the movement of the box for thepurpose of having the lid applied thereto, with lid-feeding devices tofeed the lids upon the boxes and nailing devices for holding and drivingthe nails, together with driving and timing mechanism for controllingthe action of the different devices with reference to each other.

My invention includes certain novelties in the construction and mode ofoperation of the lid-feeding devices whereby the lids are fed insuccession upon the boxes and are placed in exact position thereon forthe proper driving of the nails. For this purpose I employintermittently-reciprocating lid-holders adapted to receive the lids oneat a time and carry them down upon the boxes and properly center themthereon.

lid-feedin g devices willbeimmediately thrown out of operation, but willbe again started into operation when the feeding of the boxesis'resumed.

My invention includes certain improvements in the construction of thenail-feeding and nail holding and driving devices and in the mechanismfor operating them, which are fully described hereinafter.

My invention also includes mechanism for controlling the operation ofthe nail-feeding and nail holding and driving devices by means of thebox in passing through the machine, and includes improvements in thesupport for the box while it is being operated upon and in the guidesfor guiding it to and from the support.

My invention also includes novel mechanism for controlling the supply ofnails to the nail-feeding devices and in the manner of driving thedifferent parts of the machine for the purpose of timing them in theirrelative operations, and in many novel combinations of parts andimprovements of construction, which are fully set forth and claimedhereinafter. t

In my improved box-nailing machine the boxes are fed in succession uponasupport under the nail holding and driving devices, which are operatedintermittently, their operation being controlled by the passage of thebox. The lid is fed into position above the box and under the nailholding and driving devices, and is received by holders and by them itis carried down and is placed in proper position upon the box for thedriving of the nails.

In the drawings, Figure l is a front elevation of my improved boxnailingmachine. Fig. 2 is a rear view of the same. rear view of a portion ofthe machine shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of thesame on the line 1 l of Fig. 2, looking toward the left. Fig. t is asimilar view on the line 2 20f Fig. 2,looking toward the right. Fig. 5is a longitudinal vertical sectional view on the line3 30f Fig. 3. Fig.6isa horizontal gers with the main driving-wheel.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 9 is a vertical sectionalview of the same on the line 5 5 of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a longitudinalsectional view on the line 6 6 of Fig. 11 of' one of the nail-holders.Fig. 11 is a transverse sectional plan view of the same on the line 7 7of Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view of the same on the line8 8 of Fig. 10. Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view of the same ontheline 9 9 of Fig. 10. Fig. 14 is a rear elevation of one of 'thedetached-lid supporters. Fig. 15 is a front elevation .of thedetached-lid-supporting hook. Fig. 16 is a sectional side elevation ofthe lid supporting and feeding mechanism. Fig. 17 is a front elevationof the clutch mechanism for controlling the operation of the lid-feedingdevice. Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the detached clutch. Fig. 19 isa vertical sectional view of the clutch mechanism on the line 10 10 ofFig. 17. Fig. 20 is a plan view of the trip mechanism for controllingthe clutch shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 21 is a vertical sectional view of' thesame on the line 11 11 of Fig. 20. Fig. 22 is ahorizontal sectional viewof the same on the line 12 12 of Fig. 21. Fig. 23 is a diagrammatic viewsimilar to Fig. 22, illustrating the operation of the trip mechanism.Fig. 24 is a sectional side elevation, upon an enlargement of the scaleof Fig. 2, of the cushioning-stop for the trip. Fig. 25 is a sideelevation of the driving and timing mechanism for operating thenail-supplying pan. Fig. 26 is a View of the same similar to Fig. 25,with a portion of the inclosing frame in section to illustrate theoperation of the clutch. Fig. 27 is a vertical sectional view of thesame on the line 13 13 of Fig. 26, and Fig. 28 is a perspective view ofthe detached clutch of Fig. 26.

All of the views shown in Figs. 7 to 28, inelusive, are on an enlargedscale.

A is thebase-frame of the machine.

A A are the upright side frames.

B is the bed-plate or supporting-frame, upon which the boxes aresupported during the operation of nailing the lids upon them.

B is a support for the bed-plate B, having an inclined guiding-face 1),upon which the lower inclined guiding-face b of the bed-plate B rests.By moving this support B longitudinally the bed-plate B may be raisedand lowered for purposes of adjustment.

B is an adjusting-screw for moving the support B, operated through thebeveled gears b by the hand-wheel B The support B is guided in guidesupon the base-frame A. r

G and Care respectively carriers or sprocket-chains for carrying theboxes to and from the bed-plate B, provided with .carrying projectionsor lugs c. The box is conducted to the bed-plate B by the carrier 0, andafter the lid has been nailed it is conducted therefrom by the carrier0, as is hereinafter more fully set forth. The carriers 0 and C areguided, respectively, over sprocket-wheels ccand c 0 Power is impartedto the shaft of one of these sprocket-wheels from a bandwheel C One ofthe sprocket-wheels c of the carrier 0 is carried upon the shaft (3 withone of the sprocket-wheels c of the carrier 0. By this means the twocarriers are driven by the same power. The carrier 0 extends to thebed-plate B, as is shown in Fig. 6, and has its upper or carryingsurface substantially on a level therewith. The carrier 0 passes overthe bed-plate B through a groove or recess b therein, so that its upperface is substantially level with the surface of the bed-plate. A A areguides for the boxes in being carried to and from the nailing devices.

D D are a series. of antifriction rollers or wheels arranged at each endof the baseframe A, over which the box passes as it is conducted by thecarriers 0 C to and from the bed-plate B. D D are a second series ofsimilar antifriction-rollers arranged within the openings of thebase-frame A at each end of the bed-plate B and on each side of thecarriers 0 and O, as is shown in Fig. 6. These rollers D D are carriedby levers d, pivoted at one end to the base-frame A and at the other endto the'bed-plate B, so that they will be raised or lowered with themovement of the bed-plate Bfor adjustment, and will thus be kept upon asubstantial level with the surface thereof for the purpose of properlyguiding the boxes to and from the bed-plate. The levers d are free tomove slightly on their pivots to permit this vertical adjustment.

Upon each side of the bed-plate B and a slight distance aboveiit areguiding and centering rollers 01, carried in suitable brackets D one orboth of which may be adjustable or yielding by the employment of springsd (See Figs. 3 and 4.) The rollers 01 are carried in brackets (i movablein slots in the brackets D and pressed outward by the springs 01 Thesesets of guiding-rollers d d constitute ayielding guide for the box,located above the bed-plate B. The box is conducted between them andthey guide and properly center it over the bed-plate.

L, Fig. 5, is a stop to arrest the box upon the bedplate B when inproper position thereon.

L is a lever pivoted in the base of the frame A, carrying the stop L andoperated by a cam Z upon the shaft 0 W is a weight for holding the endof the lever upon the cam Z.

When the box has been conducted upon the bed-plate B and has beenbrought in proper position thereon, the lidis placed upon it for thenailing operation to be performed.

I will now describe the devices for feeding the lids in position uponthe boxes, referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 4, and 16. E is -atable or support arranged upon one side of the machine adjacent to theposition occupied by the top of the box when supported upon thebed-plate B. Extending above this table E are end and side guides e a,forming a feeding-hopper for a series of lids. The

front end guides e terminate in an opening 6 immediately above the tableE, through which a single lid may pass. E is a pusher movable over thetable E and connected through a slot in the table with racks E". E

are racks carried in brackets beneath the table E. E are pinionsengaging with the teeth of the racks E E and E E F is an arm in whichthe pinions Etare journal ed. This arm F is hinged on an arm F uponarock-shaft f. The arm. F is connected with the rock-shaftfthrough aspring-clutch f, which is'connected with the shaft f with a feather orspline and is pressed into engagement with the arm F by a spring. F isan arm secured to the rock-shaftf. F is a connecting-rod connecting thearm F with the crank f of the shaft G. By the rotation of the crank f?the shaft f is rocked through the rocking arm F and the connecting-rod FBy the rocking of the shaft fthe arm F is rocked and the pinions E arereciprocated between the racks E E. This movement of the pinionsproduces a resultant movement in the pusher E, due to the reciprocationof the pinions by the rock-shaft f and their ro-- tation by the racks EE obtaining a large movement in the pusher with a small movement in therock-shaft. The spring-clutchf' forms a yielding connection between therockshaftf and the arm F, so that in the case of a stoppage of themovement of a lid when carried by the pusher for any reason the clutch fwould be pushed out of connection with the arm F, and the breaking ofthe parts would thereby be prevented.

Referring to Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5, H are two cross-heads carrying upontheir ends slides h h, adapted to guides H H upon the main side frames AA. Carried by the slides 71 are upright rods h It, provided with headsor stop-nuts t' t'. I I are pitmen operated bythe cranks I I andcarrying slides I 1 which are adapted to guides i z" in the upper partof the main side frames A A. Carried by the cross-heads H H are thenail-holders and lid-supporters, which are described hereinafter. J Jare cross-heads carried by the slides 1 I and guided by the upright rodsh h of the slides h h. The cross-heads J J are adapted when raised bythe action of the pitmen I I to strike the nuts t'iupon the rods h h,and thus to raise the slides h h and the cross-heads H H. O are hammersor nail-drivers carried by the cross-heads J J. K are the nail-holders,provided with funnels k to receive the nails from the supply-tubes L. Mare lid-supporters, which receive the lid from the pusher E and supportit in position above the box until the nailing devices are operated. Thenail-holders K and lid-supporters M are carried by the cross-heads II. Iprefer to employ two lidsupporters M upon each cross-head and threenail-holders and to arrange the lid-supporters M between thenail-holders K K, as shown in the drawings. By this means each end ofthe with three nails.

The details of the nail-holders are shown in Figs. 10, 11, 12, and 13. Kis the main body of the nail-holder, having a bore k for the nail-hammerO,-leading throughthe top. K is an angular clamping-piece fastened tothe rear of the part K by screws Z0 The crosshead H is clamped betweenthe main body portion K and a clamping-piece K by means of theclamping-screw F. K is the front piece of the holderycarrying thenail-funnel It. The pieces K and K have their adjacent surfaces recessedto receive the blocks K K K K and are formed with the upper portions oftheir adjacent faces beveled and recessed to form when the pieces areput together an inclined passage k communicating with the nail-funnel k.The bore 76' extends down between the blocks K K and com municates withthe passage-way k. The lower blocks K K are pressed together bysprings kand close the bottom of the bore 70. The upper faces of the blocks K Kadjacent to the end of the bore 70, are formed with an inclined recessor depression 70 The blocks K K are pressed to ward each other bysprings 70 M. The two parts K K are held together by means of bolts Kpassing through lateral wings 70 and a locking-yoke K and clampingscrewK By this construction the nailholder K may be easily dismantled. Thebolts K are formed with grooves or diminished portions to receive theedges of the locking-yoke K I For convenience of construction thenailholders may be made in parts held together by bolts K Figs. 10 and13, the pieces K and K being bolted between the outer or side parts.This is obviously not necessary to the construction of the nail-holderso far as the features of invention are concerned. By releasing theadjusting-screw and removing the yoke K the front portion K may bewithdrawn from the part K. A nail is delivered from the funnel kthroughthe passage-way 10 into the lower-part of the bore 70 between the blocksK K with its end'restingin the recess K. When the hammer O descends andstrikes the nail, the blocks K K are forced apart andallow the nail'tobe driven into the wood. I prefer to employ the upper springblocks K Kfor forming the lower portion of the bore 7c, so thatin case two nailsor a bent or imperfect nail should be fed into the bore 70 the blocks KK may be forced apart when the hammer descends, and thus prevent jammingin the bore 70. Normally, however, there would be no movement of theblocks K? K during the operation of the hammer O in driving the nails.If two'nails were present in the bore It, it will be seen that theuseless nail will drop through between the blocks K K when they areforced apart by the passage of the nail that is being driven,

.and thus any irregularity in the feeding of the nails will notinterrupt or change the normal operation of the nailing device. Thespring-pressed blocks K K thus form a yielding passage or bore for thenails. 5 The devices for holding and supporting the box-lids are shownin Figs. 14 and 15. These devices consist of the main frame or bracket'M (adapted for attachment to the cross-head "H in any convenientmanner, as by the clamping-piece M and the screw M and the springpressedguides M and the hook M The guide M is pivoted to the bracket M, as atm, and is provided with a curved extremity m. M is a spring between thebracket and [5 guide M normally pressing it outwardly. The outermovement of the guide M under the action of the spring M is limited andregulated by the adjustable stop m The hook M is pivoted to the guide Mas at m zoand is provided with a curved extremity m and an inclinedguideway m leading to a notch M M is a spring of less tension than -thespring M, arranged between the bracket M and the hook M acting to pressit out- 2 5 wardly, so that the notch M and curved extremity on projectbeyond the edge of the guide M, as shown in Fig. 14. When the crossheadsH are raised,lifting the nail-holders K and the lid-supporters M, thehooks M are brought in line with the pusher E, and when a lid is pushedfrom the table E it is received in the notches M The inclined guides mguide the edges of the lid into the notches. The lid is thus supportedover the box by the 3 5' four hooks M When the cross-heads H descend,the curved extremities m strike the edges of the box and are movedoutwardly until the notches M are moved away from the lid, releasing itand permitting it to rest 0' upon the top of the box. The curved guidesM act to guide and properly center the lid, so as to bring it into exactposition upon the box for the driving of the nails. (See Fig. 5.)

Referring now to the main driving mechan- 5 ism of the machine, J J aregear-wheels carried by the shafts j j of the cranks I I. J is anintermediate gear-Wheel between the gear-wheels J J. J 3 is the maindrivingwheel, loosely journaled upon one of the shafts g. 0 are theclutch devices for connecting and disconnecting the Wheel J with theshaft j. Normally the wheel J rotates upon the shaft j, and there isconsequently no operation of the pitmen I I or of the nailing de- 'vicescarried by them. When a box is fed into the machine and is brought intoposition upon the bed-plate B to have the lid applied thereto, theclutch mechanism 0 is antomatically operated to connect the drivingwheel with the shaft j, and thus reciprocate the pitmen I I and operatethe nailing devices, and when the lid has been nailed to the boxtheclutch mechanism is automatically operated to disconnect the wheel Juntil a second box is in position. The pitmen I I are thus operatedintermittently by the action of intermediate mechanism controlled by theboxes in passing through the machine.

The particular form of clutch mechanism employed for connecting anddisconnecting the wheel J 3 with the shaft 7' is immaterial to myinvention, which is concerned more particularly with the devices forcontrolling its action.

I will now describe the clutch mechanism shown in the drawings and thedevices for controlling its operation, referring more particularly toFigs. 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 20, 21, 22, and 23. The interior of the hub of thewheel J 3 is formed with grooves 3' J is an arm carried by a segmentalpiece j j ournaled in a groove in the hub j and adapted when turned toproject into one of the grooves f of the hub, thus locking the hub andthe shaft j together. This is a well-known form of clutch mechanism. Ois a cam secured to the shaft 7'. 7' is a spring acting against the armJ to move it and turn the piece j into the groove of the shaft j. 0 is abell-crank pivoted toaframe 0 upon the side of the machine, the end ofwhich is adapted normally to lift the arm J and hold the clutch out ofoperation. P is a rod connected with one member of the bellcrank 0 Thebell-crank 0 thus constitutes a lock to lock the clutch out ofconnection. The rod P is connected with a lever p, Figs. 3 and 21. p isa spring acting to lift the lever and raise the rod P after it has beendepressed. P is a rod connecting the lever 19 with a bell-crank P,pivoted to a frame Q upon the base-frame of the machine. R R are twoarms carried by a shaft P journaled in arms of the frame Q. These arms RR project over the bed-plate B in the line of movement of the box inpassing upon it, Fig. 6, and may be provided upon their extremities withantifriction-rollers r r. p is a spring between the frame Q and anextension of one of the arms R to normally hold the arms R R, projectingover the bed-plate B. Q is anarm carried by the shaft P Q is a dogpivoted to the arm Q. q is a spring to hold the dog Q firmly upon thearm Q. Q is a cushioning-stop over the dog Q q is a stopon the arm Q.When the arms R R are moved by the box in passing upon the bed-plate B,the arm Q is moved correspondingly with the shaft P and one arm of thedog Q strikes one leg of the bell-crank P and is moved by it until theother arm strikes the stop g, which prevents further movement of thedogupon its pivot and causes it to rock the bell-crank P correspondinglyrocking the bell-crank O and throwing the clutch mechanism intooperation. After the dog Q has rocked the bell-crank P itslips pastunder the free end of the bell-crank P (which is restored again to itsnormal position by the spring 19 after the operation of the clutchmechanism,) so that it will be in position to throw out the clutchmechanism 0 after'one revolution of the shaft j. When the box has passedfrom the bed-plate Band the arms R R move back into their normalpositions, the

arm Q simultaneously returns'to its former pOSllZlOl], and the dog Qstriking the arm of the beil-crank P is turned and permits the arm Q tomove back. The cushioning-stop Q pressed forward by a spring 0. O is alever pivoted to the frame 0 and connected to the bolt 0" to operate itagainst the action of the sprlng 0. The free end of the lever O isarranged in the path of, the cam O and is adapted to be actuated by it.Normally the bell-crank O obstructs the opening for the bolt 0 in theframe, as is shown in Fig. 9.

.When, however, the bell-crank O is rocked and is moved from theopening, the bolt 0 is projected forward by the spring 0 and holds thebell-crank from moving backward by the action of the spring 19 until thewheel J has turned upon the shaftj sufficiently to bring one of thegrooves j into position for engagement with the segmental locking-piece3. At this moment the face of the cam 0 strikes the end of the lever Oand withdraws the bolt, permitting the bell-crank O to return to itsnormal position by the action of the spring o 0 are stops to limit themovements of the bell-orank 0 This construction of the bolt 0 lever O",and cam O constitutes an automatic lock for lockin g the bell-crank fromreturning to its normal position before the clutch mechanism has beenbrought into operation. It will be seen that if the bell-crank wereallowed to return instantly before the segmental locking-piece j" of theclutch mechanism were brought in connection with the groove of the hubof the driving-wheel it would act upon the dog J and lock the clutchmechanism out of operation, so that there would be no movement of thepitinen I I. 0 (shown in dotted lines in Figs. 7 and 9) is a stop tolimit the movement of the dog J The bell-crank 0 may be allowed slightvertical play upon its fulcrum-pin 0 to prevent possible jamming bymeans of the slot 0 at the pivot-point. A pin 0 sliding in a socket inthe frame-O and pressed upward by a spring 0 in contact with thebell-crank O normally holds the same in its highest position, whilepermitting it to move downward slightly upon its fulcrum-pin o Themechanism for controlling the operation of the lid-feeding devices ismore particularly shown in Figs. 1, 6, l7, l8, and 19. Upon the shaft 0which, as has been heretofore described, is operated by the carriers, isa gear-wheel 0 by which motion is imparted to a counter-shaft 0 througha gear-wheel c thereon. From the counter-shaft O the hollow shaft G isrotated through the beveled gears g g. The hollow. shaft G is journaledin boxes upon the base-frame. Journaled in the-hollow shaft G is theshaft G, by which the lid-feeding devices are operated, as has beenheretofore described. G is a spring slide-clutch carried on the shaftGrand adapted to connect that shaft with the shaft G. G is acurvedcamgroove in the clutch G and G is a lug thereon. G is aspring-pressed bolt adapted to engage the curved cam-groove G carried ina bracket GZbolted to the baseframe A. g is a pivoted dog having one armadapted to strike a pin on the bolt-G for the purpose of liting it andthe other arm adapted to be struck by an arm g of a bellcrank G which isjournaled upon the baseframe A. R is arod connecting one arm of thebell-crank G with a lever g pivoted in the upper part of the machine. G(dotted lines in Fig. 1) is a cam carried by the shaft j, adapted toactuate the lever 9 and the rod R. The lever'g is depressed by the camGr lifting the bolt G through the rod R, bell-crank G and dog g. g is aspring normally acting against the action of the cam G to depress therod R and release the bolt G The shaft G is driven by the same powerdevices that drive the carriers O and C independently of the maindriving-wheel J and rotates at a less rapid rate of speed than the shaft3', which is driven by the main driving-wheel J and the cam G acts uponthe lever g so as to lift the boltG with each revolution and carry itover the groove G in v the clutch without engaging therein and operatingthe clutch. Normally the bolt would rest upon the surface of the clutchG2 and would engage with the groove G therein; but when the shaft jrotates, through the operation of the clutch mechananism O, whichconnects that shaft with the driving-wheel J the cam G will lift thebolt and carry it over the groove Gr without operating the clutch. Thusit will be seen that while the machine is operating normallywithout anyinterruption in the feeding of the boxes, the lid-feedin g mechanismwill operate continuously; but upon any interruption of the feeding ofthe boxes there will be a corresponding interruption in the rotation ofthe shaft j, and the cam G will not act to prevent the bolt engaging inthe groove G and shifting the clutch G2 so as to throw the lidfeedingdevices out of operation. When the feeding of the boxes is resumed,however, the cam G is again put into operation, lifting the bolt G andallowing the clutch to againconnect the shaft G and G. When the shaftcarrying the cam G is at rest, the end of the lever g will enter thedepressed portion of the cam G so that it will notbe operated by the camto lift the bolt G I i To render more certain the holding ofthe bolt Gout of' the groove G when the shaft j operates, I employ a pivoted lockG which is adapted to be. drawn by a spring 9 so that its end will bebrought under a pin g upon (l teases the bolt G5 when the latter israised by the action of the lever g. This lock G will hold the boltraised until the groove G is passed, even if' the quick motion of thelever g should release it before. A lug Gr upon the clutch G locatedadjacent to the extremity of the curved groove G strikes the lock G andreleases it after the groove has passed.

It will be seen that both the nailing devices and the lid-feedingmechanism are controlled in their operation by the feeding of the boxesinto the machine and that these devices will automatically cease tooperate when the feeding of the boxes is interrupted.

S are the nail-feeding devices, by which the nails are fed one at a timeto the nail-tubes L and thence are delivered to the nail-holders K. Thenail-tubes L have their lower ends supported by arms Z, Fig. 5, andcorrespondin number with the nail-holders. When the nail-holders areraised bythe reciprocation of the cross-heads H, the funnels it thereofare carried to the ends of the tubes L and receive therefrom the nails.

The particular construction of the nail-feeding devices S is immaterialto my invention, and anyconvenientmechanismforfeedingone nail at a timeto the tubes L may be employed. I prefer such mechanism as is set out inthe Letters Patent N 0. 265,166, dated September 26, 1888, granted toSmith and Doig. These nail-feeding devices may be operated by a rod T,operated by an eccentric 25 upon one of the shafts j, (see Fig. 2,) sothat the feeding of the nails to the tubes L will be controlled by therotation of the shafts j j, and will thus be synchronous with themovementof the nailholders.

For controlling the supply of nails in the nail-feeding mechanism Iprefer to employ the devices shown in Figs. 25, 26, 27, and 28. Thenail-supply pan U, Figs. 1, 2,and 5, which contains the general supplyof nails and feeds them to the nail-feeding devices S, is hinged theretoand is adapted to be lifted, so as to be brought in the same planetherewith to permit the nails to pass from the supply-pan U to thenail-feeding devices S. U is a connecting-rod pivoted to the outer endof the nail-pan U and connecting with a crank it, carried by a shaft u,journaled in a bracket X. V is a driving-wheel upon a shaft '0, alsojournaled in the bracket X and carrying a worm V ,adapted to rotateavworm-whcel V Z is a spring-clutch upon the shaft 1), carrying agear-wheel V engaging with a gear- -wheel U upon the shaft u. The clutchZ is normally held out. of engagement with the shaft 2; by means of abolt Y, engaging in a curved groove .2 in the clutch. Carried by theworm-wheel V is a finger V adapted to strike a lever y, connected withthe bolt Y, and withdraw it from groove 2 in the clutch and permit theclutchto engage with the shaft 21. y is a spring to force the bolt Yback into engagement with the groove 2. The gear-wheel U contains agreater number of teeth than the gear-wheel V so that a rotation of thelat ter will produce only a partial rotation of the former, preferablyin the ratio of one to two. Normally the clutch Z is unconnected withthe shaft '0. and there is no rotation of the gears V and U ormovement-of the hinged nailpan U. As the driving-wheel V rotates thefinger V is moved into contact with thelever y through the action of theworm V and worm-wheel V This instantly withdraws the bolt Y and connectsthe clutch Z with the shaft 1;. The gearV rotates and imparts motion tothe gear U and shaft '0', lifting the pan U. A complete revolution ofthe gear V produces a half-revolution of the gear U and raises the pan Uwithout again lowering it.

,At this moment the bolt Y engages the groove 2', and acting upon thecurved portion thereof withdraws the clutch Z, disconnecting thegear-wheel V from the shafto and stopping the rotation of the gear U Thepan U thus remains in the raised position until the bolt is againwithdrawn by the action of the fingers V and lever 11, when it islowered and remains in that position until the next operation. It willbe seen that the worm-wheel V, which carries the fingers V, rotates at amuch slower rate of speed than the shaft 0, so that a considerableinterval of time will elapse between each raising and lowering of thepan U. This mechanism avoids the constant raising and lowering of thepan U with each operation of the machine,which is wholly unnecessary forthe purpose of renewing the supply of nails and increases the wear ofthe parts. The driving-wheel V may be driven from the same shaft orsource of power with the main driving-wheel J a of the machine.

Having described the construction of my machine and the operation of thedifferent parts thereof, I will now describe the operation of themachine as an entirety in nailing the lid upon the box. A box is placedupon the rollers D at the feeding side of the machine, and is carriedforward by the lug cof the endless feeding-carrier 0 between the guidesA A over the guiding-rollers D D and upon the bed-plate B. The box isguided and centered upon the bed-plate B by the rollers or yieldingguide d d and is stopped by the action of the stop L and properlycentered with reference to the lid supporting and nailing devices. Priorto the passage out of the previous box, which may be passed through themachine to start the same in operation, the pitmen I I are raised,lifting the cross-heads J J and the cross-heads H H, with thenail-holders K and the lid-supporters M. The nails from the "tubes L arereceived in the funnels k and pass into the bores At the same time,through the operation of the lid-feeding devices, a lid has been pushedfrom the table E into the notches of the supportinghooks M The movementof the pitmen I I is it strikes the arms R R,inoving the arm-Q, rockingthe bell-crank Pin the manner heretofore described, and throwing theclutch 0 into operation. The pitmenI I then descends until the lid restsupon the box released from the hooks M and the nail-holders KK are inposition upon it for the driving of the nails. The motion of thecross-heads H is then arrested; but the cross-heads J J continue todescend, bringing the hammers 0, carried thereby, down upon the nails inthe holders K and driving them into the wood. When the box has had thecover thus nailed to it, the stop L is moved out of the way by theaction of the cam Z and the box is taken by one of the lugs c of thecarrier 0, and is conducted out over the rollers D and D on the otherside of the machine, while the next box is being carried in by thecarrier 0. The lugs c of the carriers C and C are so located withreference one to the other that the lugs of the' carrier G shall notcome in contact with the box until the nailing operation has beencompleted. Meanwhile the pitmen I I have ascended, raising thecross-heads J J and H H to receive a new supply of nails, and a new lidis fedto the lid-supporters. The clutch mechanism in the meantime hasbeen thrown out by the action of the arm J upon the bellcrank O and themovement of the plungers is arrested until the next box is moved uponthe bed-plate B against the arms R R. If at any time the feeding of theboxes is interrupted, the clutch mechanism will not be operated, so thatthe pitmenI I will not descend and the operation of the lid-feedingdevices will be arrested by the operation of the clutch G in the mannerheretofore described. While the machine is properly acting and feedingthe boxes continuously in succession through the machine the lid-feedingdevices will operate continuously, while the operation of the plungersis intermittent, in the manner heretofore described.

While I prefer the many details of construction which have been shown,they are not necessary limitations of my invention, as it is apparentthat they may be varied in many ways without departing from it.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a box-nailing machine, the combination of lid-feeding devices,reciprocating nailholders and hammers, power devices for independentlyoperatingsaid lid-feedin g devices and the nail-holders and hammers, andconnecting mechanism between the powerdevices for operating thenail-holders and hammers and the devices for operating the lid-feedingdevices to control the operation of the latter, whereby said lid-feedingdevices may be automatically thrown out of operation when ,the action ofthe nail-holders and hammers is suspended.

2. In a box-nailing machine, the combination of lid-feeding devices toautomatically feed the lids above the boxes, reciprocatinglid-supporters to receive the lids successively from said feedingdevices and deposit them ,upon the box, nail-holders to bring the nailsin position upon the lid, and hammers to drive the nails from saidnail-holders into the lid and box. v 3. In a box-nailing machine, thecombina tion of lid-feeding devices, reciprocating nailholders andhammers, power devices for independently operating said lid-feedingdevices and the nail-holders and hammers, connecting mechanism betweenthe power devices for operating the nail-holders and hammers and thedevices for operating the lid-feeding devices to control the operationof the latter, a clutch to throw the power devices for operating thenail-holders and hammers into and out of operation, and intermediatemechanism controlled by the box in passing to the machine to operatesaid clutch, whereby the operation of the lid-feedin g devices,nail-hold-.

ers, and hammers is controlled by the box in passing into the machine.

4. In a box-nailing machine, the combination of lid-feeding devices toautomatically feed the lids above the boxes, reciprocatinglid-supporters to receive the lids successively,

from said feeding devices and deposit them upon the box, reciprocatingnail-holders to.

bring the nails in position upon the lid, means to reciprocate saidlid-supporters and nailholders synchronously, and hammers to drive thenails from said nail-holders into the lid and box.

5. In a box-nailing machine, the combination of feeding devices to feedthe boxes successively to the machine, reciprocating nailholders tobring the nails in position upon the box, reciprocating hammers to drivethe nails from said holders into the box, power devices to reciprocatesaid nail-holders and hammers, a clutch to throw said power devices intoand out of operation, and intermediate mechanism controlled by the boxin passing through the machine to operate said clutch and cause thenail-holders and hammers to reciprocate.

6. In a box-nailing machine, the combination of lid-feeding devices,nail-holders and hammers, power devices to operate the lidfeedingdevices and the nail-holders and hammers independently, a clutch toconnect said lid-feeding devices with the power devices for operatingthem, and clutch-shifting devices to operate said clutch, controlled bythe power devices for driving the nail-holders and hammers. p

7. In a box-nailing machine, the combination of box-carriers to carrythe boxes successively into the machine, nail holders to hold the nailsin position to be driven, hammers to drive the nails from the holdersinto the box, a support for a series of lids, a pusher to push the lidssuccessively from said support over the top of the box and under thenailholders and hammers, and power devices to reciprocate said pusher.

too

In a box-nailing machine, the combination of box-carriers to carry theboxes successlvely ipto the machine, nailholders to hold the nailsinposition to be driven, hammers to drive the nails from the holdersinto the box, a support for a series of lids, a pusher to push the lidssuccessively from said support over the top of the box and under thenailholders and hammers, a rack and pinion to re.- ciprocate saidpusher, and means to operate said pinion.

9. In a box-nailing machine, the combination of box-carriers to carrythe boxes successively into the machine, nail holders to hold the nailsin position to be driven, hammers to drive the nails from the holdersinto the box, a support for a series of lids, a pusher to push the lidssuccessively from said support over the top of the box and under thenailholders and hammers, a rotatable shaft, a pin- Ion E connectionbetween said pinion and rotatable shaft to reciprocate the pinion, andracks E E between which said pinion is reclprocated, the pusher carryingone of Said racks.

10. In a box-nailing machine, the combination of box carriers to carrythe boxes successively into the machine, nailholders to hold the nailsin position to be driven, hammers to drive the nails from the holdersinto the box, a support for a series of lids, a pusher to push the lidssuccessively from said support over the top of the box and under thenailholders and hammers, power devices to operate said pusher, adriving-shaft, a clutch to i connect said power devices of the pusherand the driving-shaft, and means to operate said clutch controlled bythe box in its passage through the machine.

11. In a box-nailing machine, the combination of carriers to carry thebox to the machine, a pusher to feed the lids successively upon the box,nail-holders to hold the nails in position to be driven, hammers todrive the nails, an inter-mittently-operating stop to arrest the boxunder the nail-holders and hammers, and a carrier to carry the nailedbox from the machine.

12. In a box-nailing machine, the combination of nailing devices, adriving-shaft,a clutch to connect said driving-shaft with the nailingdevices, a projection arranged in the path of the box in passing to themachine, and operating connections between said projection and theclutch to connect the driving-shaft with the nailing devices, wherebythe nailing devices are intermittently connected with the driving-shaftwhen the box passes to the machine.

13. In a box-nailing machine, the reciproeating frame M, carrying thenotched lid-supports M 14. In a box-nailing machine, the combination ofthe adjustable bed-plate B, rollers D, carried upon arms (I, pivoted tosaid bed-plate, so as to be adjusted with it, and carriers 0 and O forcarrying the boxes to and from the bed-plate.

15. In a box-nailing machine, the reciprocating frame M, carrying themovable guides M and the notched lid-supports M 16. In a box-nailingmachine, the combination of a reciprocating frame, pivoted lid-sup"-porting-hooks carried thereby, a pusher to push the lids successively tothe pivoted supporting-hooks, nail-holders to hold the nails in positionto be driven, and hammers to drive the nails.

17. In a box-nailing machine, the combination of a reciprocating frameand curved spring-pressed guides M carried thereby, pivotedspring-pressed lid-supporting hooks M movable with said reciprocatingframe, and a pusher to push'the lids successively to said hooks Mwhereby when the reciprocating frame descends said hooks M are pushedaside by the box and the lid is deposited thereon.

18. In a box-nailing machine, the combination, with a support for thebox, of an intermittently-reciprocating frame, lid-supporters andnail-holders carried by said frame and reciprocating with it,intermittentlyereciproeating hammers to drive the nails from saidholders, and feeding devices to feed the lids successively to saidlid-supporters under the nail-holders.

19. In a box'nailing machine, the combination, with a support for thebox, of an intermittently-reciprocating frame, lid-supporters andnail-holders carried by said frame and reciprocating with it,intermittently-reciprocating hammers to drive the nails from saidholders, nail-tubes to supply nails to said nailholders,intermittently-operating nail-feeding devices to feed the nails to saidnail -tubes, and feeding devices to feed the lids successively to saidlid-supporters under the nailholders.

20. In a box-nailing machine, the combination, with reciprocatingnail-holders and hammers, of vertically-reciprocating lid-holderslocated under said nail-holders and hammers, adapted to receive the lidand carry it down upon the box, and power devices to reciprocate saidnail-ho1ders and hammers and lidholders.

21. In a box-nailing machine, the reciprocating frame'M, carrying thespring-pressed guides M having the curved extremities m and thespring-pressed lid-supports M 22. In a box-nailing machine, thereciproeating frame M, carrying the notchedlid-supports M having thecurved extremities m and the springs M acting upon the lid-supports M topress them outward.

23. In a box-nailing machine, the combination of the pitmen I I, powerdevices to reciprocate said pitmen intermittently, crossheads J J,carried by said pitmen I I, hammers 0, carried by said cross heads,crossheads II H, carried by said cross-heads :J J,

t, I C

IIO

but movable thereon, nail-holders K, and lidsupporters M, carried bysaid cross-heads H H.

24:. In a box-nailing machine, the combination of the rcciprocatin gnail-holders and ham.- mers, power devices to reciprocate said.nailholders and hammers, a clutch to connect said power devices with themain driving-wheel, a lock to lock said clutch out of connection, acarrier for the box to carry it into the machine under the nail-holdersand hammers, a pivoted stop in the path of said box, and vconnectionsbetween said pivoted stop and lock whereby the lock is released upon thepassage of a box into the machine and the clutch is thrown intoconnection.

25. In a box-nailing machine, the combination of reciprocatingnail-holders and hammers, power devices to operate them, a clutch toconnect said power devices, a lock to lock said clutch out of operation,a bell-crank P connected with said look, a pivoted arm R, arranged inthe path of the box in passing under the nail-holders and hammers, so asto be pushed aside by it, and a pivoted dog Q moving with said arm R,adapted to actuate the bell-crank P and withdraw the lock of the clutch,substantially as and for the purpose described.

26. In a box-nailing machine, the combination of the main driving-wheel,reciprocating nail-driving devices, a shaft j, from which saidreciprocating nail-driving devices are operated, a clutch to connect themain driving-wheel and shaft j, a lock 0 to lock said clutch out ofoperation, the cam 0 carried by the shaft j, the spring-pressed bolt 0and the lever 0, connected therewith, and mechanism to operate the lock0 controlled by the box in passing through the machine, all combined andoperating substantially as and for the purpose described.

27. In a boxnailing machine, the combination of carriers to carry theboxes into and from the machine, power devices to drive said carriers,lid-feeding devices to feed the lids in succession upon the boxes,connections between the lid-feeding devices and the driving devices ofthe carriers to operate them synchronously, reciprocating nail-holdersand hammers, and power devices to reciprocate said nail-holders andhammers intermittently and independently of driving of'the carriers, andconnecting mechanism between the clutch and the power devices forreciprocating the nail holders and hammers to operate the clutch anddisconnect the lid-feeders and driving devices of the carriers when thenailholders and'hammers cease operating.

28. In a box-nailing machine,-the combination, with reciprocatingnail-holders and hammers, of nail-tubes to supply the nails to thenail-holders, nail-feeding devices to feed the nails one at a time tothe nail-tubes, a nailsupply pan for supplying the nails to saidnail-feeding devices, and intermittently-operating power devices tointermittently raise and lower said nail-supply pan.

29. In a box-nailing machine, the combination,with reciprocatingnail-holders and hammers, of tubes to supply the nails to thenailholders, nail-feeding devices to feed the nails one at a time to thenail-tubes, a nail-supply pan hinged to said nail-feeding devices andadapted when raised to supply nails thereto, a crank-shaft andconnections between said crank-shaft. and pan, a main driving-shaft,gearing between said main driving-shaft and crank-shaft, and a clutchfor disconnecting said gearing and main driving-shaft, intermittentlyconnected with said driving-shaft.

30. In a box-nailing machine, the combination, with reciprocatingnail-holders and hammers, of nail-tubes to supply the nails to thenail-holders, nail-feeding devices to feed the nails one at a time tothe nail-tubes, a nailsupply pan hinged to said nail-feeding devices andadapted when raised to supply nails thereto, a crank-shaft andconnections between said crank-shaft and pan, a main driving -shat't,gearing between said main driving-shaft and crank-shaft, a clutch fordisconnecting said gearing and main drivingshaft, having a curved groove2*, the bolt Y, lever y, finger V and worm V, and wormwheel V combinedand operating substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

31. In a box-nailing machine, the combination, with the hammers, of thenail-holders K, consisting of the main body portion K, the front portionK formed with the nailbore between them, the connecting-bolts forconnecting said parts K and K together, the yoke K and screw K combinedsubstantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony of which invention I have 05

